State of Oregon Archives: on Civil Rights
Tate Reeves:
Committed to building a more equitable world
The first step to creating opportunity is recognizing that racism is endemic to our systems,
impacting every part of our culture and our economy. I am committed to ensuring that the world we build as we emerge from this last year is a more equitable one. We must build back better.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Oregon legislature
Jan 21, 2021
Jo Rae Perkins:
Black wealth gap due to welfare rules, not redlining
Perkins has made no secret of her views--some of which are in stark contrast to the purpose of the Albany Human Relations Commission. She's gone on the record claiming the practice of denying Black families mortgages in certain areas of town, known as
redlining, is not responsible for the generational wealth gap between Black and white families. Instead, she attributes it to a government effort to remove Black fathers from households as a condition of welfare payments.
Source: Albany Democrat-Herald on 2022 Oregon Senate race
Jan 17, 2021
Jo Rae Perkins:
I do not believe racism is a threat to domestic security
Q: Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?A: I do not believe racism is a threat to domestic security. The term racism is technically incorrect as humans are all members of the same race, the human race.
One's ethnicity is irrelevant. It is how a person is raised, what they believe in. Were they taught that capitalism is evil or that America is the great Satan?
It is the content of one's character, their heart, that should be judged, not the color of their skin.
Respect a person's heritage, their ethnicity, their gender. Judge them on the content of their character and actions.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Oregon Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Paul Romero:
I have not witnessed racism as a problem
Q: Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?A: No. Sure there are small elements on all sides that revel in their racism, but I have not witnessed this as a problem contributed by or experienced by all Americans.
I see a variety of area cultures, perspectives (justified or not), and, ultimately, a blame game. Too many people cast blame on anyone but themselves for their lot in life.
In America the American Dream is available to all who have the motivation and inspiration. Sadly, many lack the motivation or inspiration, but they all can blame others for their own failures.
No more pity parties. Get guidance, a mentor, mentors, and build YOUR OWN dream, then follow through.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Oregon Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Paul Romero:
American, Veteran, father, Oregonian and Christian
Let's keep this simple--- Pro Constitution
- Religious Liberty
- No Mandatory Vaccines
-
I am aÿAmerican, USÿNavyÿVeteran, father, Oregonian and Christian.
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website Romero4Oregon.com
Dec 23, 2019
Paul Romero:
Against "extra equality for groups"
Let's keep this simple---
Equality for ALL, no extra equality for groups
- Religious Liberty
Source: 2020 Oregon Senate campaign website Romero4Oregon.com
Dec 23, 2019
Kate Brown:
Let transgendered privately change name/sex on vital records
Legislative Summary: HB2673: Creates alternative process for persons seeking to change name on vital record for purpose of affirming gender identity. Eliminates requirement for courts to publicly post court orders changing name or gender
identity.NBC News analysis: Gov. Kate Brown has signed a bill that will make it easier for transgender people in Oregon to shield any updates they make to their birth certificates, a process typically conducted through the court system
without privacy from public view. The measure makes Oregon the second state after California to adopt laws specifically designed to help mitigate potential discrimination against transgender individuals from employers, landlords or anyone else who is
otherwise able to dig up birth-record changes through public record.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 37-23-0 on Mar/15/17; Passed Senate 23-6-1 on May/10/17; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/18/17
Source: NBC News analysis of Oregon HB2673 voting records
May 18, 2017
Cliff Bentz:
Disallow transgender change name/sex to be private
Legislative Summary: HB2673: Creates alternative process for persons seeking to change name on vital record for purpose of affirming gender identity. Eliminates requirement for courts to publicly post court orders changing name or gender
identity.NBC News analysis: Gov. Kate Brown has signed a bill that will make it easier for transgender people in Oregon to shield any updates they make to their birth certificates, a process typically conducted through the court system
without privacy from public view. The measure makes Oregon the second state after California to adopt laws specifically designed to help mitigate potential discrimination against transgender individuals from employers, landlords or anyone else who is
otherwise able to dig up birth-record changes through public record.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 37-23-0 on Mar/15/17; State Rep. Cliff Bentz voted NO; Passed Senate 23-6-1 on May/10/17; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/18/17
Source: NBC News analysis of Oregon HB2673 voting records
Mar 15, 2017
Knute Buehler:
Let transgendered privately change name/sex on vital records
Legislative Summary: HB2673: Creates alternative process for persons seeking to change name on vital record for purpose of affirming gender identity. Eliminates requirement for courts to publicly post court orders changing name or gender
identity.NBC News analysis: Gov. Kate Brown has signed a bill that will make it easier for transgender people in Oregon to shield any updates they make to their birth certificates, a process typically conducted through the court system
without privacy from public view. The measure makes Oregon the second state after California to adopt laws specifically designed to help mitigate potential discrimination against transgender individuals from employers, landlords or anyone else who is
otherwise able to dig up birth-record changes through public record.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 37-23-0 on Mar/15/17; State Rep. Knute Buehler voted YES; Passed Senate 23-6-1 on May/10/17; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/18/17
Source: NBC News analysis of Oregon HB2673 voting records
Mar 15, 2017
Kate Brown:
Family Fairness Act to protect LGBT rights
In just over a year, Governor Brown has gotten real results for Oregon families. Kate worked successfully to raise the state's minimum wage and guarantee paid sick leave to workers across the state; increase education funding by nine percent in order
to prevent teacher layoffs and keep class sizes from increasing; signed into law a voluntary retirement plan which gives every Oregonian access to a professionally invested retirement account; and put
Oregon at the forefront of the clean energy movement with legislation that ends Oregon's use of coal power. In 2007, she successfully spearheaded legislation that The Oregonian called the "state's most sweeping package of ethics reforms in 34 years."
Brown also worked to pass Family and Medical Leave, a bill requiring insurance companies to cover annual breast exams for women, and both the Oregon Equality Act and Family Fairness Act to protect LGBT rights.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2016 Oregon Gubernatorial incumbents
Aug 23, 2016
Kevin Stine:
Affirmative action is ok, bur don't enforce statistically
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Legally require hiring more women/minorities"?
A: Support. This may be difficult to enforce. An organization with high concentration of white males does not necessarily mean discrimination.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Oregon Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jan 1, 2016
Kevin Stine:
Strongly supports same-sex marriage
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?
A: Strongly support.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Oregon Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jan 1, 2016
Mark Callahan:
Marriage is between one man and one woman
I believe marriage is a religious institution and is between one man and one woman. This is what the Oregon Constitution defines marriage as also.
Civil unions are recognized by the State of Oregon for legal purposes of being able to see relatives in a hospital, for example. Civil Unions are not the same as religiously recognized marriage.
Those advocating for "gay marriage" use the term "marriage" to describe what civil unions already accomplish. Personally, I don't need to know, nor do I want to know, what people choose to do in the privacy of their own homes.
Furthermore, I fully support the rights of business owners to make decisions that align with their faith in God.
Source: 2016 Oregon Senate campaign website, CallahanForOregon.com
Oct 9, 2015
Bud Pierce:
Same-sex marriage is a "settled" issue
The positions Pierce has voiced so far are generally fiscally conservative but socially liberal. Pierce said issues like abortion and same-sex marriage are "settled," though he wants as few abortions as are necessary.
Much of Pierce's rhetoric during his announcement focused on what he called "Oregon's broken state government."
He said as governor he'd demand reform of state agencies by eliminating and consolidating inefficient programs.
He said he would reduce government spending by not replacing state agency workers who retire or leave their job, instead of reducing agency size through layoffs.
Source: Salem Statesman Jo urnal on 2016 Oregon gubernatorial race
Sep 10, 2015
Jeff Merkley:
Ensure that women earn equal pay for equal work
On April 9, Senate Democrats failed to break a filibuster preventing passage of a bill aimed at ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work. Republicans said the legislation could actually have a harmful impact on women in the workplace.What
Merkley says: "It's wrong that even today, women in Oregon make just 79 cents for every dollar a man makes, and minority women experience an even greater gap in earnings. I co-sponsored and helped pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to ensure women
employees can have their day in court when they are the victims of illegal wage discrimination. I am now fighting to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, the next step we must take to ensure women earn equal pay for equal work."
Wehby's response: "Senator
Merkley's approach to this issue is not only wrong, but will only exacerbate the problem of discrimination against women in our economy. A bill like this will encourage job creators to look for labor substitution. I would have voted no."
Source: The Oregonian on 2014 Oregon Senate race
Jul 18, 2014
Monica Wehby:
Paycheck Fairness Act hurts women in the workplace
What Merkley says: "It's wrong that even today, women in Oregon make just 79 cents for every dollar a man makes. I [voted for &] am now fighting to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, the next step we must take to ensure women earn equal pay for equal work."
Wehby's response: "Based on actual experience, I know that Senator Merkley's approach to this issue is not only wrong, but will only exacerbate the problem of discrimination against women in our economy. The bill that Senator Merkley supports adds
additional regulations, documentation and other administrative requirements that will have a harmful effect on women in the workplace. Senator Merkley's answer to this issue is typical of career politicians--more regulation, more red tape, and more
government interference on small businesses. A bill like this will encourage job creators to look for labor substitution. I would have voted no based on my workplace experiences and knowledge of how this legislation would have hurt women in the workplace
Source: The Oregonian on 2014 Oregon Senate race
Jul 18, 2014
Monica Wehby:
Government shouldn't be involved in same-sex marriage
Rep. Jason Conger wasted no time taking a swipe at Portland physician Monica Wehby. In his opening remarks, Conger said Republicans won't win by "running candidates who fit the 'D narrative'" or by "running a rich, disconnected Republican."
Wehby has said the government shouldn't be involved in same-sex marriage and abortion is a personal choice. Wehby countered Conger by saying she thinks "logically not ideologically," adding that "we need a little bit more of that in D.C."
Source: Statesman Journal on 2014 Oregon Senate debate
Mar 9, 2014
Jim Huffman:
Supports the legal rights of gays
It makes sense why some liberal bloggers are attacking the bow tie [which Huffman wears]. Getting into the issues with Huffman could prove problematic. Huffman is the kind of Republican that a lot of independent
Oregonians will be attracted to: He has supported the legal rights of gays and opposes the death penalty, saying it isn't applied with enough reliability or accuracy to deserve support.
Source: Elizabeth Hovde, columnist in The Oregonian
Mar 6, 2010
Jeff Merkley:
Oregon Equality Act: sexual orientation is a civil right
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: To protect their health, safety and morals from the consequences of intergroup hostility, tensions and practices of discrimination of any kind based on sexual orientation: The Legislative
Assembly intends to provide:- A program of public education calculated to eliminate attitudes upon which practices of discrimination because of sexual orientation;
- An adequate remedy for persons aggrieved by certain acts of discrimination
because of sexual orientation;
- hereby is recognized as and declared to be a civil right.
However, this section shall not be construed to prevent a bona fide church from preferring an employee of one religious sect or persuasion over another.
Source: The Oregon Equality Act (SB 2): state voting records
Dec 31, 2007
Jeff Merkley:
Apply affirmative action to state hiring
Q: On affirmative action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies’ decisions on: Public employment?A: Yes.
Q: State college and university admissions?
A: Yes.
Q: State contracting?
A: Yes.
because of sexual orientation;
hereby is recognized as and declared to be a civil right.However, this section shall not be construed to prevent a bona fide church from preferring an employee of one religious sect or persuasion over another.
Source: Oregon State 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
John Kitzhaber:
Maintain affirmative action in colleges & state hiring
Kitzhaber indicates he supports the following principles concerning affirmative action:- Q: Public employment ?
A: Yes. -
Q: State contracting ?
A: Yes. - Q: College and university admissions ?
A: Yes.
Source: Oregon Gubernatorial 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
John Kitzhaber:
Recognize same-sex marriages
- Q: Do you believe that the Oregon government should include sexual orientation in Oregon's anti-discrimination laws?
A: Yes. - Q: Do you believe that the Oregon government should recognize same-sex marriages?
A: Yes.
Source: Oregon Gubernatorial 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
Kate Brown:
Prosecute discrimination cases; support affirmative action
Brown indicates support of the following principles regarding affirmative action in Oregon:- Oregon government should prosecute cases of discrimination in the public and private sector.
- Specific, adjustable percentages of contracts for state work should be awarded to minority or woman-owned businesses.
Source: Oregon Legislative 1996 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1996
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021